Cricket is second only to football in popularity in Bangladesh. Even club matches can attract crowds of up to 40,000.

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The country gained one-day status in 1997 after winning the ICC trophy in Kuala Lumpur.

Bangladesh have played 40 one-day internationals, but won only three of them, and their triumph against Pakistan during last year's World Cup has since been tainted by match-fixing allegations.

Leading batsman Mehrab Hossain

Saber Hossain Chowdhury, the head of the Bangladesh Cricket Control Board, said two teams of ICC inspectors had visited the country before reaching the decision.

"They have satisfied themselves that we have the infrastructure, we have the crowd support, we have the commercial sponsorship," said Mr Chowdhury. "Really it's a huge potential."

He added: "Test cricket has embraced 130 million people to its fold and that is tremendous news for cricket. I know good news is at a premium at the moment and I'm glad Bangladesh has featured in that good news."

Bangladesh wins

Beat Kenya by 6 wickets, May 1998

Beat Scotland by 22 runs, May 1999

Beat Pakistan by 62 runs, May 1999

The celebrations in Bangladesh are expected to last a week,
culminating in a grand reception in Dhaka with the prime
minister as the chief guest.

Mr Chowdhury said the ICC decision would inspire Bangladesh's cricketers to strive harder towards their goals, including winning the World Cup one day.